Tide self tuning modular wharf resilient connection system and method

ABSTRACT

A connector for connecting a floating module to a beached module of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient member adapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module toward the beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connecting said floating module to said beached module to allow vertical movement of the floating module relative to the beached module during tides of said body of water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of said floating module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35USC§119(e) of U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/380,610 filed Sep. 7, 2010, U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/405,857 filed Oct. 22, 2010, U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/409,726 filed Nov. 3, 2010, U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/411,243 filed Nov. 8, 2010 and U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/414,745 filed Nov. 17, 2010, the specifications ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a modular wharf. More specifically, it concernsa connector which links a floating module to a beached module of amodular wharf.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Modular wharves can be used wherever there is a need to compensate forthe lack of infrastructures or to improve existing installations.Floating wharves can be built using barges. Examples of barges that canbe used are sectional barges, deck barges, hopper barges, dump scowbarges, dredging barges, crane barges, steel caisson, etc. They are analternative to permanent wharves which require dredging, dynamiting,pouring concrete, rock filling and lengthy, costly construction. Modularwharves can be dismantled and removed once their purpose is over. Theyare used for loading and unloading of all types of cargo or for dockingships. They are accessible in all tide conditions. Cargo handlingsystems such as cranes, conveyors, lifts and others are provided on thefloating wharf.

Resilient connectors are used between the modules which make up thepathways or the docking section to ensure a stable, solid and flexiblewharf. The energy caused by the movements of the wharf units isdissipated at the resilient connector thereby allowing a solid yetflexible structure. The resilient connector may be pre-compressed duringinstallation to add or to increase the wharf stability and rigidity. Theconnectors may be of different types. They include a compressibleelement, such as rubber, and a tension element which is, for example,adjustable using a tightening assembly, a hydraulic cylinder, etc.

In some situations according to bathymetry pattern, there is a need forthe use of a beached wharf module together with the floating moduleswhich could reduce the environmental impact of the modular wharf byreducing the amount of embankment, reducing installation costs andproviding a sound and stable abutment. There would therefore be a needfor a resilient connector between the beached module and the floatingmodule(s) which would be designed to respond to tide movements withoutcompromising the resilient connection behavior.

SUMMARY

According to one broad aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a connector for connecting a floating module to a beachedmodule of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient memberadapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module towardthe beached module; a wall member having a resilient member side and aslider side; a fastening assembly to secure the wall member to a firstwharf module chosen from the floating module and the beached module andto sandwich the resilient member between the resilient member side ofthe wall member and a face of the first wharf module, the resilientmember side facing the face of the first wharf module; a slider assemblyhaving two sliding sections, one sliding section of the two slidingsections being affixed to the slider side of the wall member and anothersliding section of the two sliding sections being affixed to a face of asecond wharf module, the second wharf module being a different one ofthe floating module and the beached module, the slider side of the wallmember facing the face of the second wharf module, the sliding sectionsbeing adapted to be slidably interconnected thereby securing the wallmember to the second wharf module and being adapted to slide withrespect to one another to allow vertical displacement of the wall memberwith respect to the second wharf module.

In one embodiment, the first wharf module is a floating module and thesecond wharf module is a beached module.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a chain assembly forsecuring the resilient member to the first wharf module, the chainassembly including chains.

In one embodiment, the fastening assembly further includes a tensionloader, the tension loader being adapted to move the wall member towardsthe face of the first wharf module thereby compressing the resilientmember.

In one embodiment, the resilient member is a pneumatic fender.

In one embodiment, the resilient member side of the slider member isconcave between a top of the slider member and a bottom of the slidermember.

In one embodiment, one of the two sliding sections of the sliderassembly comprises a roller support with rollers and another one of thetwo sliding sections comprises at least one channel for receiving therollers.

In one embodiment, one of the two sliding sections of the sliderassembly comprises a protruding elongated flange and another one of thetwo sliding sections comprises a recessed elongated member for receivingthe protruding elongated flange.

In one embodiment, the flange is one of trapeze-shaped, H-shaped,T-shaped, C-shaped and O-shaped.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises an elongatedconnector, wherein both of the two sliding sections of the sliderassembly comprise a recessed elongated member each for receiving a sideof the elongated connector.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises an elongatedconnector, wherein both of the two sliding sections of the sliderassembly comprise a protruding elongated member and the elongatedconnector has an elongated recessed channel on each side for receivingboth the protruding elongated members.

In one embodiment, the elongated connector is made of a resilientmaterial.

In one embodiment, the connector further comprises a stopper provided onat least one of the sliding section, and the wall member for limitingdisplacement of at least one of the sliding sections of the sliderassembly.

In one embodiment, the wall member is buoyant.

In one embodiment, the wall member is hollow and sealed.

In one embodiment, the wall member is made of a buoyant material.

In one embodiment, the two sliding sections of the slider assembly areelongated and extend generally vertically.

According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a modular wharf comprising: a beached module secured to abottom of a body of water to prevent vertical movement of the beachedmodule during tides of the body of water; a floating module disposed ona surface of the body of water, near the beached module; a resilientmember adapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating moduletoward the beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connectingthe floating module to the beached module to allow vertical movement ofthe floating module relative to the beached module during tides of thebody of water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of thefloating module.

According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a connector for connecting a floating module to a beachedmodule of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient memberadapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module towardthe beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connecting saidfloating module to said beached module to allow vertical movement of thefloating module relative to the beached module during tides of said bodyof water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of saidfloating module.

In one embodiment, the sliding connector further comprises: A wallmember having a resilient member side and a slider side; A fasteningassembly to secure said wall member to a first wharf module chosen fromsaid floating module and said beached module and to sandwich saidresilient member between said resilient member side of said wall memberand a face of said first wharf module, said resilient member side facingsaid face of said first wharf module; A slider assembly having twosliding sections, one sliding section of said two sliding sections beingaffixed to said slider side of said wall member and another slidingsection of said two sliding sections being affixed to a face of a secondwharf module, said second wharf module being a different one of saidfloating module and said beached module, said slider side of said wallmember facing said face of said second wharf module, said slidingsections being adapted to be slidably interconnected thereby securingsaid wall member to said second wharf module and being adapted to slidewith respect to one another.

In one embodiment, the sliding connector further comprising two slidingsections, each sliding section of said two sliding sections beingaffixed to one of said floating module and beached module each of saidsliding sections being adapted to receive a portion of said resilientmember and to be slidably interconnected using said resilient memberthereby interconnecting said floating module to said beached module andbeing adapted to slide with respect to one another to allow verticaldisplacement of said floating module with respect to said s beachedmodule.

In one embodiment, the resilient member is made of an elastomericresilient material.

In one embodiment, the resilient member has a cross-sectional shape withtwo opposed protruding ends and each protruding end of the connector isreceived in a corresponding recessed section of one of said slidingsections.

In one embodiment, the resilient member has a cross-sectional shape withtwo opposed recessed ends, wherein both of said two sliding sectionshave a protruding elongated member and said recessed ends of saidresilient member receiving both said protruding elongated members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way ofillustration example embodiments thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 includes FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C and shows example modularwharf arrangements for mooring, loading or unloading a Vessel, FIG. 1Ashows a T-shaped arrangement, FIG. 1B shows a n-shaped arrangement andFIG. 1C shows a section view of a Spuded Barge;

FIG. 2 includes FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D and shows therelevant details of the Modular Wharf, FIG. 2A is an Isometric view,FIG. 2B is a Plan view, FIG. 2C is a Section view at low tide and FIG.2D is a Section view at high tide;

FIG. 3 includes FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, FIG. 3E, FIG. 3F,FIG. 3G, FIG. 3H, FIG. 3K, FIG. 3J and shows the relevant details ofexample Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors, FIG. 3A is an Isometricview of a first example connector, FIG. 3B is an Exploded view of thefirst example connector of FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C is a Plan view of the firstexample connector of FIG. 3A, FIG. 3D is a Section view at high tide ofthe first example connector of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3E is a Section view atlow tide of the first example connector of FIG. 3A, FIG. 3F is anIsometric view of a second example connector, FIG. 3G is a Plan view ofthe second example connector of FIG. 3F, FIG. 3H is a Section view athigh tide of the second example connector of FIG. 3F, FIG. 3J is aSection view at low tide of the second example connector of FIG. 3F,FIG. 3K is a detail of the cables of the second example connector ofFIG. 3F;

FIG. 4 includes FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E and shows anembodiment of the sliders with rollers, FIG. 4A is an Exploded view,FIG. 4B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 4C is an Isometric view,opposite side, FIG. 4D is a Section view and FIG. 4E is a Plan view;

FIG. 5 includes FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 5D, FIG. 5E and shows anembodiment of the sliders with a Male and Female Part, FIG. 5A is anExploded view, FIG. 5B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 5C is anIsometric view, opposite side, FIG. 5D is a Section view and FIG. 5E isa Plan view;

FIG. 6 includes FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, FIG. 6E and shows anembodiment of the sliders with a Rod inserted into Sleeves, FIG. 6A isan Exploded view, FIG. 6B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 6C isan Isometric view, opposite side, FIG. 6D is a Section view and FIG. 6Eis a Plan view;

FIG. 7 includes FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D, FIG. 7E and shows anembodiment of the sliders with a “T” slot in which an “H” Beam willslide up and down, FIG. 7A is an Exploded view, FIG. 7B is an Isometricview, first side, FIG. 7C is an Isometric view, opposite side, FIG. 7Dis a Section view and FIG. 7E is a Plan view;

FIG. 8 includes FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, FIG. 8D, FIG. 8E and shows anembodiment of the sliders with a Slotted Tube, FIG. 8A is an Explodedview, FIG. 8B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 8C is an Isometricview, opposite side, FIG. 8D is a Section view and FIG. 8E is a Planview;

FIG. 9 includes FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D, FIG. 9E and shows anembodiment of the sliders with a Slotted Tube, FIG. 9A is an Explodedview, FIG. 9B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 9C is an Isometricview, opposite side, FIG. 9D is a Section view and FIG. 9E is a Planview;

FIG. 10 includes FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, FIG. 10D, FIG. 10E andshows an embodiment of the sliders with a male and female part, FIG. 10Ais an Exploded view, FIG. 10B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 10Cis an Isometric view, opposite side, FIG. 10D is a Section view and FIG.10E is a Plan view;

FIG. 11 includes FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. 11D, FIG. 11E andshows an embodiment of the sliders with a Flat Plate with Angle Bars,FIG. 11A is an Exploded view, FIG. 11B is an Isometric view, first side,FIG. 11C is an Isometric view, opposite side, FIG. 11D is a Section viewand FIG. 11E is a Plan view;

FIG. 12 includes FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C, FIG. 12D, FIG. 12E andshows an embodiment of the sliders with a “t-slot”, FIG. 12A is anExploded view, FIG. 12B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 12C is anIsometric view, opposite side, FIG. 12D is a Section view and FIG. 12Eis a Plan view;

FIG. 13 includes FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C, FIG. 13D, FIG. 13E andshows an embodiment of the sliders with elastomer, FIG. 13A is anExploded view, FIG. 13B is an Isometric view, first side, FIG. 13C is anIsometric view, opposite side, FIG. 13D is a Section view and FIG. 13Eis a Plan view;

FIG. 14 includes FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and shows the relevant details ofanother example Modular Wharf, FIG. 14A is an Isometric view and FIG.14B is an isometric view of another example Tide Self Tuning ResilientConnector with two back walls per connector;

FIG. 15 includes FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and shows the relevant details ofanother example Modular Wharf, FIG. 15A is an Isometric view and FIG.15B is an isometric view of another example Tide Self Tuning ResilientConnector with two fenders per Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly;

FIG. 16 includes FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C and shows the relevantdetails of another example Modular Wharf, FIG. 16A is an Isometric view,FIG. 16B is a Section view at low tide of another example Tide SelfTuning Resilient Connector in which the fender is attached to thebeached module and the Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly is towardsthe floating modules and FIG. 16C is a Section view at high tide; and

FIG. 17 includes FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, FIG. 17C, FIG. 17D and shows therelevant details of another example Modular Wharf, FIG. 17A is anIsometric view of the Modular Wharf, FIG. 17B is a perspective view ofanother example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector in which theresilient member forms part of the sliders and there is no Sliding &Floating Back Wall Assembly, FIG. 17C is a Section view at low tide ofthe connector and FIG. 17D is a Section view at high tide.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like featuresare identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns a modular wharf design with a tide selftuning resilient connector. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show examplearrangements of a proposed installation.

FIG. 1A (T-shaped arrangement) and FIG. 1B (π-shaped arrangement) showexample modular wharf arrangements for mooring, loading or unloading aVessel 101 such as a Panamax. The Vessel 101 leans on Fenders 113 whichare attached to Floating Modules 103. Two Spuded Barges 104, secured bySpuds 105, provide stable points to secure Floating Modules 103 withCables 106. The Modular Wharf 103 is also linked to Shore Anchors 109with Cables 106 and to Beached module 102 via the Tide Self TuningResilient Connectors 115. The Beached module 102 is secured with twoSpuds 105 and Cables 106 to Shore Anchors 109 as well. Furthermore,Spuded Barges 104 offer additional mooring bollards satisfying differentvessel lengths or positions, giving wharf operation flexibility. SpudedBarges 104 are themselves linked to Off Shore Anchors 108 via an AnchorChain 107 and to Shore Anchors 109 via Cables 106.

The Embankment 111 gives access from the ground to the Modular Wharf.Two Ramps 110 allow vehicle or pedestrian circulation between wharfmodules. Shore Boundary Line 112 will move back and forth according totide level. FIG. 1C shows a section view of a Spuded Barge 104. TwoSpuds 105 penetrate Sea Floor 113 and restrict translation movements ofSpuded Barge 104. Spuds 105 let Spuded Barge 104 move verticallyaccording to Water Line 114 changing with tide.

On FIG. 2A (Isometric view), FIG. 2B (Plan view), FIG. 2C (Section view,low tide) and FIG. 2D (Section view, high tide), the relevant details ofan example Modular Wharf are shown. The Beached module 102 provides asound and stable abutment. The Floating Modules 103 are connected toBeached module 102 through the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors115. A different type of Resilient Connector 203, like rubber tubes withrectangular or trapezoidal section or other fender types well known inthe art of wharf design, is used between the two Floating Modules 103because tide has no effect at that location. Basically, this junctionreduces the bending moment created between the two Floating Modules 103when compared to what would occur with one elongated floating module.Retaining Cables 205 keep both Floating Modules 103 together bywithstanding tension forces. To allow pedestrians and vehicles to accessFloating Modules 103 from Beached module 102, Ramps 110 are attached toFloating Modules 103 and just laid on Beached module 102 in order toresponse to tide as shown on FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D.

On FIG. 3A (Isometric view), FIG. 3B (Exploded view), FIG. 3C (Planview), FIG. 3D (Section view, high tide) and FIG. 3E (Section view, lowtide), the relevant details of an example Tide Self Tuning ResilientConnector 115 are shown. On FIG. 3F (Isometric view) and FIG. 3H (Planview), a variant of X Cable Assembly 301 is shown. FIG. 3I (Sectionview, high tide) and FIG. 3J (Section view, low tide) show the sameinformation as FIG. 3D and FIG. 3E except that Fender Assembly 303 isflattened out by a compression load.

The Fender Assembly 303 transfers and absorbs loads from Floating Module103 to Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly 304. X-Cables Assembly 301attaches Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly 304 to Floating Modules103. The Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly 304 moves on SlidersAssembly 302 which are attached on the vertical wall of Beached module102. One Cable end of both cables of the X-Cables Assembly 301 isattached to a Tension Puller 305. Wear Pads 306 can be installed wherethe cables cross to protect them from wear. The other ends of bothcables of X-Cables Assembly 301 are affixed to Retainers 307 which arethemselves attached to the top of the Sliding & Floating Back Wall 308.The Pneumatic Fender 309 leans on the vertical surface of the FloatingModule 103 and is retained to it by Chains 310. It also leans on theother side on the Sliding & Floating Back Wall 308.

On FIG. 3F, FIG. 3G, FIG. 3H, FIG. 3I and FIG. 3J, the relevant detailsof a variant of X-Cables Assembly 301 is shown. The Pneumatic Fender 309is shown flattened. Basically, Pulleys 311 are used to redirect thecable into Damping Device 312 which is affixed on Floating Modules 103.

Depending on the load cases and/or situations, it is possible to choosethe most adequate sliding device. Examples of such sliding devices areshown in FIGS. 4 to 13. FIG. 4A to FIG. 13A are Exploded views, FIG. 4Bto FIG. 13B are Isometric views, FIG. 4C to FIG. 13C are Isometricviews, other side, FIG. 4D to FIG. 13D are Section views and FIG. 4E toFIG. 13E are Plan views.

As shown on FIGS. 4A, B, C, D and E, the Slider Plate 404 is welded onBeached module 102. The Slider Plate 404 supports two Vertical ChannelBeams 405 reinforced by Gussets 406 on their sides. These channels actas a guide for the rollers. The Roller Plate 401 is welded on Sliding &Floating Back Walls 308. It secures the Roller Supports 403 in place, inwhich Rollers 402 rotate freely. The Sliding & Floating Back WallAssembly 304 is inserted and slid from the top or bottom into VerticalChannel Beams 405. Rollers allow up and down back wall displacement.Rollers rotate freely by ensuring that they are in contact with only oneinner flange surface of the Vertical Channel Beams 405 at a time.

As shown on FIGS. 5A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 503 is welded onBeached module 102. The Guiding Plate 503 has a Female Part 504 (forexample a machined metal piece). The Sliding Plate 501 bears the MalePart 502 and this last assembly is welded on Sliding & Floating BackWalls 308. The Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly 304 is united toBeached module 102 by inserting and sliding the Male Part 502 from thetop or bottom into Female Part 504. Proper lube can then be applied intothe mating assembly to reduce friction and let Sliding & Floating BackWalls Assembly 304 move adequately.

As shown on FIGS. 6A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 607 is welded onBeached module 102. The Guiding Plate 607 has Brackets 606 (for example,six brackets are used) supporting Sleeves 605 (for example three sleevesare used) in which Rod 602 slides up and down. The Rod Support 603 iswelded on Sliding Plate 601 and secured by Gussets 604. To build thefinal assembly, the Sliding Plate 601 without the Rod 602 is welded onSliding & Floating Back Walls 308. Then, the Rod 602 is inserted intothe Sleeves 605 and temporarily held in place. Next, the Sliding &Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 is set close to the Beached module 102and the Rod 602 is bolted or otherwise attached to the lowest andhighest Rod Supports 603. Proper lube can be finally applied on the Rod602 to reduce friction and let Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly304 move adequately. In use, the displacement of the Sliding & FloatingBack Walls Assembly 304 is stopped at the highest and lowest positionwhen Rod Supports 603 gets in contact with Brackets 606. This stoppingmechanism is useful to allow movement of the Sliding & Floating BackWalls Assembly 304 within a restricted range.

As shown on FIGS. 7A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 703 is welded onBeached module 102. The Guiding Plate 703 supports parts designed toform a “T” slot in which “H” Beam 702 welded on the Sliding Plate 701will slide in up and down. The slot is composed of Vertical Plates 704and reinforced by Gussets 705 on both sides. The Sliding Plate 701 iswelded on Sliding & Floating Back Walls 308. The Sliding & Floating BackWall Assembly 304 is inserted and slid from the top or bottom into the“T” slot welded on Guiding Plate 703. Proper lube can then be appliedinto the slot to reduce friction and let Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssembly 304 move adequately.

As shown on FIGS. 8A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 801 is welded onBeached module 102. The Guiding Plate 801 supports a Slotted Tube 803reinforced on both sides by Gussets 802. A Stopper Plate 804 and Gusset809 are welded at the bottom of the Guiding Plate 801. The Sliding Plate810 also supports a Slotted Tube 803 reinforced on both sides by Gussets802. The Sliding Plate 810 is welded on Sliding & Floating Back Wall308. The Slider 811 is made of Rods 805 (for example, two rods are used)welded each side of the vertical edges of the Plate 806. A Hook 807 iswelded at the top of the Slider 811. Once Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssembly 304 is adequately positioned, the Slider 811 is inserted intoboth Slotted Tubes 803 to create a linked assembly. The Slider 811 isbolted in the back wall Slotted Tube 803. Proper lube can then beapplied into the slot to reduce friction and let the Sliding & FloatingBack Walls Assembly 304 move adequately.

As shown on FIGS. 9A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 904 is welded onBeached module 102. The Guiding Plate 904 supports a Slotted Tube 905reinforced on both sides by Gussets 906. The Sliding Plate 901 has a“Bulb Flat” 902 reinforced on both sides by Gussets 903, and it iswelded on Sliding & Floating Back Walls 308. The Sliding & Floating BackWall Assembly 304 is inserted and slid from the top or from the bottominto Slotted Tube 905. Proper lube can then be applied into slot toreduce friction and let the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304move adequately.

As shown on FIGS. 10A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 1006 is weldedon Beached module 102. The Guiding Plate 1006 supports the Base Plate1005 on which Angle Bar 1003 reinforced by Gussets 1004 is welded. Itcreates a female part. The Sliding Plate 1001 has Flat Bars 1002 and1007 which form a t-shaped member acting as the male part of the matingassembly. The Sliding Plate 1001 is welded on Sliding & Floating BackWalls 308. The Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly 304 is inserted andslid from the top or the bottom into the female part. Proper lube canthen be applied into the mating assembly to reduce friction and letSliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 move adequately.

As shown on FIGS. 11A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 1101 is weldedon Beached module 102. The Sliding Plate 1107 is welded on the Sliding &Floating Back Wall 308. The Guiding Plate 1101 and the Sliding Plate1107, both have Flat Bars 1102 and 1108 which form a t-shaped member.The Slider 1109 is made of a Flat Plate 1105 on which two Angle Bars1103 are welded and reinforced by Gussets 1104. A Hook 1106 is welded atthe top of the Slider 1109. Once Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly304 is adequately positioned, the Slider 1109 is displaced to catch thet-shaped members and create a linking assembly. The Slider 1109 isbolted in the back wall Flat Bar 1102. Proper lube can then be appliedbetween moving part surfaces to reduce friction and let the Sliding &Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 move adequately.

As shown on FIGS. 12A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 1201 is weldedon Beached module 102. The Sliding Plate 1206 is welded on the Sliding &Floating Back Wall 308. The Guiding Plate 1201 and the Sliding Plate1206, both have T-shaped Beam 1202 and Square Tube 1203 in a way to forma “t-slot”. The Slider 1207 is made of an H-Beam 1204. A Hook 1205 iswelded at the top of the Slider 1207. Once Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssembly 304 is adequately positioned, the Slider 1207 is displacedthrough the “t-slot” in order to create a linking assembly. The Slider1207 is bolted in the back wall T-shaped Beam 1202 and Square Tube 1203.Proper lube can then be applied between moving part surfaces to reducefriction and let the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 moveadequately.

As shown on FIGS. 13A, B, C, D and E, the Guiding Plate 1309 is weldedon Beached module 102. The Guiding Plate 1309 supports two Tubes 1305reinforced on both sides by Plates 1306 and Gussets 1303. Stopper Plates1307 are welded at the top and the bottom of the Guiding Plate 1309. TheSliding Plate 1301 supports two Tubes 1304 also reinforced on both sidesby Plates 1302 and Gussets 1303. The Sliding Plate 1301 is welded onSliding & Floating Back Wall 308. The Slider 1308 is made of anelastomeric material adding resilient behavior to the whole assembly.After having installed the bottom Stopper Plate 1307, the Slider 1308 isinserted at its final location and the top Stopper Plate 1307 is thenattached to temporarily prevent Slider 1308 from moving up and down. TheSliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 is then displaced to letSlider 1308 be inserted and create a linking assembly. Proper lube canthen be applied on sliding surfaces to reduce friction and let theSliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 move adequately.

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the guidingplates and corresponding sliding plates of the example embodiments ofFIG. 4 to FIG. 13 could be interchanged and be affixed to the other ofthe beached module 102 and the sliding and floating back wall withoutdeparting from the present invention.

Other Embodiments

As will be readily understood, different configurations of the Tide SelfTuning Resilient Connector are possible without departing from thepresent invention. FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show otherexample configurations to illustrate different embodiments.

FIG. 14 includes FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and shows the relevant details ofanother example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector 1400 with twoSliding & Floating Back Walls Assemblies per Connector. The Sliding &Floating Back Walls Assemblies 1404 of each Connector 1400 do not needto be attached to one another. Each Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssembly has at least one Slider 1402. In FIG. 14, the Sliding &Floating Back Walls Assemblies 1404 are not attached to one another andcan move vertically independently using their own sliders. The PneumaticFender 1403 is received in both Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssemblies. Shown on FIG. 14 are two sliders per Sliding & Floating BackWalls Assembly with a total of four sliders per Connector. As will bereadily understood, any appropriate number of Sliding & Floating BackWalls Assembly could be used for each Connector and any appropriatenumber of sliders per Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly could beused for each Connector. In this example, a single X-Cable Assembly isused for both Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assemblies 1404. Theanchoring points 1401 of the X-Cable Assembly could be moved as deemedappropriate on floating module 103 and on Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssemblies 1404. In other configurations, a X-Cable Assembly could beprovided for each Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assemblies 1404.

FIG. 15 includes FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and shows another example Tide SelfTuning Resilient Connector 1500 with two Pneumatic Fenders 1503 perSliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 1504. In the example shown inFIG. 15, the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 1504 has threesliders 1502. As will be readily understood, any appropriate number ofPneumatic Fenders 1503 could be used for each Connector 1504. A X-CableAssembly 1501 is provided for the Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssemblies 1504.

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the fender of theresilient connector could be attached to the beached module, the Sliding& Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 could face the floating module andthe guiding plate could be provided on the wall of the floating modulewithout departing from the present invention. FIG. 16 includes FIG. 16A,FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C and shows another example Tide Self Tuning ResilientConnector 1600 in which the Pneumatic Fender 1603 is attached to thebeached module 102 and the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 1604has its slider side towards the floating module 103. Four sliders 1601are used for each Connector 1600. The behavior of this minor arrangement1600 of the Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector is shown in FIG. 16B(low tide) and FIG. 16C (high tide). A X-Cable Assembly 1602 is providedfor the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 1604. In this exampleembodiment, an additional X-Cable or Chain Assembly 1605 is provided atthe bottom of the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 1604. Thisadditional X-Cable or Chain Assembly 1605 retains the bottom of theSliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 1604 towards the Pneumatic Fender1603 and the beached module 102 even when the tide exerts pressure onthe floating module 103 to pull the Sliding & Floating Back WallsAssembly 1604 away from the beached module 102. This additional X-Cableor Chain Assembly 1605 is optional and could be used on anyconfiguration of the Connector.

The embodiment of FIG. 17 is related to that of FIG. 13. Indeed, in FIG.13, the Slider 1308 is made of an elastomeric material adding resilientbehavior to the whole assembly. If the Slider 1308 is proportioned andits shape is designed adequately, it could be sufficiently resilient toact as a bumper to avoid the collision of the floating module with thebeached module. The Pneumatic Fender 309 then becomes somewhat uselessand can be omitted. If the Pneumatic Fender 309 is omitted, the Sliding& Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 also can be omitted. The GuidingPlate 1309 is then welded on Beached module 102. Sliding Plate 1301 canthen be welded directly on Floating module 103.

Such an embodiment where the Pneumatic Fender 309 is omitted is shown inFIG. 17. FIG. 17 includes FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, FIG. 17C, FIG. 17D andshows the relevant details of another example Modular Wharf. FIG. 17A isan Isometric view of the Modular Wharf. FIG. 17B is a perspective viewof another example Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connector in which theresilient member forms part of the slider assembly and there is noSliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly. FIG. 17C is a Section view at lowtide of the connector and FIG. 17D is a Section view at high tide.Connector 1700 includes two Guiding plates 1701, 1703 and a resilientSlider 1702. The Guiding plates 1701, 1703 are directly welded to eitherthe Floating module 103 or the Beached module 102. The slider 1702 isadapted to be received in the guiding plates.

Versions of the embodiments of FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG. 12 could also bedesigned with a resilient Slider 811, Slider 1109, Slider 1207 and thePneumatic Fender 309 and the Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304could be omitted.

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, any means couldbe used to affix parts to other parts, such as welding, screwing,attaching, fusing, gluing, etc.

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, parts shows asseparate components attached to one another could be manufactured as asingle integral piece and vice versa.

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, differentcombinations of illustrated configurations can be used and otherconfigurations can be implemented without departing from the presentinvention.

In Use

The Beached module 102 provides a sound and stable abutment from whichTide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors 115 move up and down in asynchronized way with Floating Modules 103, according to the tide level.Sliding & Floating Back Walls Assembly 304 is attached, using X-CablesAssembly 301, to the Floating Modules 103. These walls ensure a properseat for Pneumatic Fenders 309 by having a concave shape which contains(acting as movement stopper) the Pneumatic Fenders 309 and transmitscompression loads to the Beached module 102 under any tide levels. Aswill be readily understood, the concave shape of the wall is optionaland the resilient connector would still be useful with a straight wall.

The vertical up and down movements of Sliding & Floating Back WallAssembly 304, created by its own buoyancy, can be optionally limited inboth directions by stoppers or shock absorbers (not shown here) in orderto dampen wall movements and provide restrictions on the possibledisplacement of the wall.

The movement of the Sliding & Floating Back Wall Assembly 304 is guidedby the Sliders Assembly 302 which can take different configurations asshown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 13. Pneumatic Fenders 309 are soundly supportedand attached with Chains 310 on Floating Modules 103. Both ends ofChains 310 are fastened with robust shackle or other attachment means.

One end of both cables of the X-Cable Assembly 301 is connected to aTension Puller 305 which is soundly welded on the deck of the FloatingModule 103 in order to set and pre stress X-Cables. The pre-stress isused to change the connection behavior by limiting allowed displacementfor instance. The other ends of these cables are equipped with speltersockets which are inserted into Retainer 307. A trade-off between thedisplacement and the amount of load transferred is to be taken intoaccount at the time of selecting the specific embodiment. Wear Pads 306installed on the X-Cable Assembly remove some of the friction in case ofcable contact. They protect cables against harmful wear. Wear Pads 306can be two half sleeves fastened together at equidistance from bothcable ends. They can be made of Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene(UHMWPE), for example.

The Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors 115 let the Floating Modules103 move almost independently and freely (having their own trim and heelangle) under waves, wind or vessel impact loads. The Tide Self TuningResilient Connectors 115 damp displacement of the Floating Modules,ensuring rapid energy dissipation and an adequate load transfer fromFloating Modules 103 to Beached module 102. The Tide Self TuningResilient Connectors 115 behave as a displaceable ball-and-socket jointthrough interplay between X-Cables Assembly 301 which withstand tensionstresses and Fender Assembly 303 which withstand compression loads. Thisbehavior is the same at any tide level because the Tide Self TuningResilient Connectors 115 follow tide, providing conditions to let theball-and-socket joint work properly.

Example Application

A modular wharf has been designed according to FIG. 1A. Three modules of270 ft long, 75 ft wide, 18 ft high and 1500 ton of displacement,forming the Modular Wharf, were arranged to allow 75 000 ton PanamaxVessels 101 to be docked and loaded with cargo. Two Spuded Barges 104 of120 ft long, 40 ft wide and 10 ft high were also provided.

The Floating Modules 103 were designed to support two 250 tonshiploaders in a way to allow loading operations under the followingconditions: 30 knots wind speed and 2 knots water current for a totallongitudinal drag force of 325 ton and transversal drag force of 135 tonapplied horizontally on Floating Modules 103; 5 feet wave height; Wavelength with short breaking wave up to 20 feet; 7 feet tide; Mooringimpact of 320 ton; 25 years of operations. All components have beencalculated with a safety factor of 3. The maximum floating modulelongitudinal movement (displacement) allowable was less than 3.5 ft.

Off Shore Anchors 108, Shore Anchor 109 and Cables 106 should withstand300 ton tension loads. The Anchor Chain 107 has a proof test load of 450ton and Spuds 105 should resist to 270 ton radial load. Fenders 102 havean 11 ft diameter and are 21 ft long and can withstand compression loadsof 320 ton. They are supported both sides by Chains with chainmail rodof 2 inches diameter.

Tide Self Tuning Resilient Connectors 204 are made of Pneumatic Fenders309 of 11 feet diameter and 21 feet long. These fenders can withstandcompression loads of 320 ton. They are supported on both sides by Chains310 with chainmail rod of 2 inch diameter. The Sliding & Floating BackWall 308 is 40 feet long, 18 feet high, 40 inch thick at the top andbottom, and 25 inch thick at the middle height. The back wall exteriorskin is watertight and made of ⅜ inch sheet metal thickness. The wall isreinforced in a way to withstand a compression distributed load of 320ton and 320 ton tension load applied at the top under any tideconditions. Each Slider Assembly 302 is attached on vertical wall ofBeached module 102. The Slider Assembly 302 is about 18 feet high, 30inch wide and 14 inch thick. A pair of Sliders Assembly 302 canwithstand tension and compression load of 320 ton to any positionbetween low tide and high tide cases. One end of both cables of theX-Cable Assembly 301 is connected to a Tension Puller 305 which cansustain 300 ton. The other ends of both cables of X-Cables Assembly 301are affixed to 300 ton capacity Retainers 307 which are themselveswelded on the top of the Sliding & Floating Back Wall 308. X-Cables are2 inch diameter steel wire rope. They are pre stressed at 10% of theirtension load capacity. A distance of 3 inches is maintained betweencables but in the case of cable contact, Wear Pads 306 allow frictionfree relative movement. Wear Pads 306 are UHMW half sleeves ½ inch thickand 24 inch long that are fastened together with screws at equidistancefrom both cable ends.

For the first year installation of the Modular Wharf, all components areinstalled and assembled. In most applications installed where water canfreeze, the Beached module will be kept in place year-round, even duringthe winter and the rest of the Module Wharf will be dismantled forwinter. During the next year installation, the Modular Wharf will bereassembled and attached to the existing Beached module.

The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary only. Thescope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by theappended claims.

I/We claim:
 1. A connector for connecting a floating module to a beachedmodule of a modular wharf, the connector comprising: a resilient memberadapted for resiliently opposing movement of the floating module towardthe beached module; a sliding connector for slidably connecting saidfloating module to said beached module to allow vertical movement of thefloating module relative to the beached module during tides of said bodyof water while restricting horizontal and lateral movement of saidfloating module.
 2. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidsliding connector further comprises: A wall member having a resilientmember side and a slider side; A fastening assembly to secure said wallmember to a first wharf module chosen from said floating module and saidbeached module and to sandwich said resilient member between saidresilient member side of said wall member and a face of said first wharfmodule, said resilient member side facing said face of said first wharfmodule; A slider assembly having two sliding sections, one slidingsection of said two sliding sections being affixed to said slider sideof said wall member and another sliding section of said two slidingsections being affixed to a face of a second wharf module, said secondwharf module being a different one of said floating module and saidbeached module, said slider side of said wall member facing said face ofsaid second wharf module, said sliding sections being adapted to beslidably interconnected thereby securing said wall member to said secondwharf module and being adapted to slide with respect to one another. 3.The connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first wharf module isa floating module and said second wharf module is a beached module. 4.The connector as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a chain assemblyfor securing said resilient member to said first wharf module, saidchain assembly including chains.
 5. The connector as claimed in claim 2,wherein said fastening assembly further includes a tension loader, saidtension loader being adapted to move said wall member towards said faceof said first wharf module thereby compressing said resilient member. 6.The connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said resilient member is apneumatic fender.
 7. The connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidresilient member side of the slider member is concave between a top ofsaid slider member and a bottom of said slider member.
 8. The connectoras claimed in claim 2, wherein one of said two sliding sections of saidslider assembly comprises a roller support with rollers and another oneof said two sliding sections comprises at least one channel forreceiving said rollers.
 9. The connector as claimed in claim 2, whereinone of said two sliding sections of said slider assembly comprises aprotruding elongated flange and another one of said two sliding sectionscomprises a recessed elongated member for receiving said protrudingelongated flange.
 10. The connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein saidflange is one of trapeze-shaped, H-shaped, T-shaped, C-shaped andO-shaped.
 11. The connector as claimed in claim 2, further comprising anelongated connector, wherein both of said two sliding sections of saidslider assembly comprise a recessed elongated member each for receivinga side of said elongated connector.
 12. The connector as claimed inclaim 2, further comprising an elongated connector, wherein both of saidtwo sliding sections of said slider assembly comprise a protrudingelongated member and said elongated connector has an elongated recessedchannel on each side for receiving both said protruding elongatedmembers.
 13. The connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein saidelongated connector is made of a resilient material.
 14. The connectoras claimed in claim 2, further comprising a stopper provided on at leastone of said sliding section, and said wall member for limitingdisplacement of at least one of said sliding sections of said sliderassembly.
 15. The connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said twosliding sections of said slider assembly are elongated and extendgenerally vertically.
 16. The connector as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid sliding connector further comprising two sliding sections, eachsliding section of said two sliding sections being affixed to one ofsaid floating module and beached module each of said sliding sectionsbeing adapted to receive a portion of said resilient member and to beslidably interconnected using said resilient member therebyinterconnecting said floating module to said beached module and beingadapted to slide with respect to one another to allow verticaldisplacement of said floating module with respect to said s beachedmodule.
 17. The connector as claimed in claim 16, wherein said resilientmember is made of an elastomeric resilient material.
 18. The connectoras claimed in claim 16, wherein said resilient member has across-sectional shape with two opposed protruding ends and eachprotruding end of the connector is received in a corresponding recessedsection of one of said sliding sections.
 19. The connector as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said resilient member has a cross-sectional shape withtwo opposed recessed ends, wherein both of said two sliding sectionshave a protruding elongated member and said recessed ends of saidresilient member receiving both said protruding elongated members.
 20. Amodular wharf comprising: a beached module secured to a bottom of a bodyof water to prevent vertical movement of the beached module during tidesof said body of water; a floating module disposed on a surface of saidbody of water, near said beached module; a resilient member adapted forresiliently opposing movement of the floating module toward the beachedmodule; a sliding connector for slidably connecting said floating moduleto said beached module to allow vertical movement of the floating modulerelative to the beached module during tides of said body of water whilerestricting horizontal and lateral movement of said floating module.